Whirling satellite toy



July 18, 1961 A GRANGOQD 2,992,510

WHIRLING SATELLITE TOY Filed Aug. 26, 1958 INVENTOR. AZF/9&0 GERA/6000.

2,992,5lll

Patented July 18, 1961 ice 2,992,510 WHIRLlNG SATELLITE TOY Alfred Grangood, 5927 Highview, Dearborn, Mich. Filed Aug. 26, 1958, Ser. No. 757,273 5 Claims. (Cl. 46-62) This invention relates to amusement devices, and more particularly to spinning devices which I have referred to as the whirling satellite toy wherein shell members, attractively colored for example in red, white and blue colors, are associated together for spinning action on centrally disposed or trunnion members, and wherein a ball secured to a string looped around this central cone is adapted to project through spaced openings formed in the edges of the shells when the shells oscillate relative to each other to simultaneously bring the openings opposite each other and in alignment with the satellite ball.

A looped string is passed through the trunnion member, the two strands of the string being separated radially adjacent the center of the trunnion. In this manner the two strands of the string can be twisted relative to each other.

Twisting of the strings eiects an axial shortening of the strings whereby when the strings have been wound relative to each other the opposite ends of the strings may be pulled in opposite directions to unwind the strings thereby effecting a rotational movement of the trunnion as the strings unwind coupled with an axial elongation of the twisted strings.

When the strings are completely unwound the momentum or inertia stored in the trunnion and the shell members associated therewith will wind the strings in the opposite direction, accompanied again by an axial shortening of the strings. When the spinning action slows down the strings may again be pulled axially in opposite directions to reverse the direction of rotation of the device. An axial pull on the strings speeds up the unwinding action and the accompanying spinning of the trunnion and its associated shell members. This action is repeated, the coloring of the shell members causing many interesting, artistic and pleasing combinations of coloring as the shell members oscillate slightly relative to each other as they spin.

Additional interesting eects can be produced by removing the satellite ball and its suspension loop and rearranging and reassembling the shell members on the trunnion member.

It will of conse be apparent that the spinning action of the trunnion member spins the ball or shell halves and the small satellite suspension loop by friction. The looped string passes thru the trunnion hub holes and extends thru the trunnion end slots to the thumb or finger loops thereby completing the string loop.

The trunnion may be readily put into spinning motion by holding the looped string loosely, with trunnion hanging freely. The string is then rotated or swung around in a circular motion to wind o1 twist the string toward the thumbs. When a desired degree of twist has been imparted to the looped string a slight pull by the thumbs on the string at the end loops, starts the string to unwind and induces the trunnion to spin. When the string approaches the unwound condition the pull by the thumbs is released, and the trunnion and its associated shell members will keep on spinning and rewind the string in the opposite 'direction toward the thumbs. When spinning again slows down or stops a slight pull by the thumbs in opposite directions will start the string to unwind and reverse the rotation of the trunnion, etc. Thus Vthe spinning may be kept in motion.

The following are some of the interesting eiects which can be achieved with my novel device:

With the spinning trunnion only on the looped string, it will simulate a whirling satellite toy.

With one ball half or shell reversed on the trunnion, and spinning it with the string held in the vertical position, the shell deviates from a true vertical axis and will simulate a Wizz iiying saucer.

With two ball or shell halves reversed on the trunnion and with the assembly spinning, a sphere of color harmony will be produced.

With one ball shell reversed and the other ball shell assembled in the normal way, a balloon and gondola etect will be produced when the assembly is spun.

With one ball half mounted on the trunnion in the normal manner and with the string held in a vertical position the resulting image will simulate a candied apple.

With both ball or shell halves assembled on the trunnion in the normal manner and spun fast, fading colors will be simulated.

Many other stimulating and interesting effects can be produced by the use of other removable parts.

This novel device may advantageously be made of plastic ymaterials which lend themselves well to interesting and harmonious color combinations.

An object of my invention is to provide an educational and entertaining device wherein the effects of centrifugal force, balance and spinning motions may be demonstrated.

A further object of my invention is to mount ball or shell halves and a small ball satellite carried by a suspension loop in such a manner as to enable the assembled components to free-wheel on the trunnion ball half journals. The trunnion member imparts spinning motion to the ball or shell halves and the satellite suspension loop by the action of frictional lforces therebetween.

It is a further object of this invention to provide ball halves similar to each other and mounted on a trunnion in such a manner that suitable clearance is provided between the ball halves for the satellite suspension nylon cord. lClearance holes are formed in the confronting edges of each ball half which permit the satellite ball to be discharged into orbit when the hole halves move into alignment with each other and with the satellite ball during a spinning action.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spinning shell having a barrier on the inside surface of each shell or ball half to detlect a satellite ball and thus retard the satellite ball from being discharged into orbit.

A further object of my invention resides in the provision of a flat rim on the inside surface of the ball halves and with rounded edges and corners adjacent the discharge hole.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a small ball satellite with a suspension loop, knotted at one end to fit over the trunnion hub and flange and wherein a small ball satellite is secured to the opposite end.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trunnion hub having a bevelled disc at each end to keep a satellite suspension loop properly positioned and to provide weight to assist in keeping the trunnion spinning.

A further object resides in the provision of a trunnion hub sloping toward a center groove to keep a satellite suspension loop centered to reduce the drag on the suspension.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. l is an elevational view showing a looped string in the spinning position with the satellite ball suspended.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ball half and trunnion, with the satellite ball shown suspended, the view being taken on line 33 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating one form of ball or shell half coloring.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the trunnion used to simulate a satellite.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the trunnion and ball half assembled to simulate a flying saucer.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the trunnion and two ball halves, both reversed and used to simulate a ball of color harmony.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the trunnion and two ball halves rearranged to simulate a balloon and gondola.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing trunnion and one ball half used to simulate a candied apple.

FIG. 1l is a schematic view showing trunnion and two ball halves used to simulate fading colors when spun rapidly.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that two ball shell halves 12. are mounted on trunnion journals 27, and are held in place by journal locking shoulders Sti. The ball assembly when in use is supported `by the looped string 24, with thumb loops 25 and the reversely wound looped string 24a and 24h. The ball shell half 12 has a hub 13 with a bore therein providing clearance for free wheel ing on the journal 27. A barrier on the inside surface of the ball shell half extends to a point adjacent the edge of the ball shell. The hat rim 17 on the inside surface is to reinforce the ball edge for the hole halves 16 which are placed opposite to each other when removing the ball shell halves from the trunnion journal 2'7. This may be accomplished by squeezing the journal locking shoulders '30 while the string 24 is in the center of the slot 32, and with the lingers in the hole halves 16 the ball halves are pushed outward from the trunnion journal.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the satellite ball 19 is held securely by a nylon cord Z6 held by a knot 21 in the ball. A simple knot 22 is located to form a suitable loop 23 on the nylon cord 2u to allow placing or removing the loop over the trunnion disc 28. The trunnion hub 31 is oval in shape with two grooves 34 for the string 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, it will be observed that the trunnion hub sections 31, slopes toward the center groove 35 which receives theV loop 23. Two" holes 33 for the string 24 extend to the tapered slot 32 in the hub '31. The trunnion journals 27 with the tapered slot 32 therein extends from the outer ends to the holes 33. The slot 32 at the end of the journal 27 provides clearance for the looped strings 24 and the journal locking shoulder Sii when squeezed together to slip into the bore 1li of the ball shell half 12 which free-wheels on the journal. 27, and have end clearance between the disc 28 and the journal locking shoulder 369.

Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the string 24 is threaded through the trunnion hub 31 and through the grooves 3S and the loop 2.3 and the disc 2S, a simple knot at 2n being employed to form a loopl in the string 24.

FIG. 5 illustrates a construction wherein the ball or shell half 12 is colored, fer example red 36 at the end Vor adjacent the journal bore, an intermediate band 37 being white and a blue band 38 being provided at the center of the ball half.

Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that only the looped string 24, and the trunnion are used for demonstration purposes.

As shown in FIG. 7 it will be noted that the looped string 24 the trunnion and one half ball shell half 12 are used.

Referring to FIG. 8 it will be seen that the looped string 24, the trunnion and two ball shell halves 12 are used in a reversed disposition. Y

Turning now to FIG. 9 it will be noted that the looped string 24, the trunnion and two ball shell halves are used for demonstration purposes.

FIG. l() illustrates the looped string 24, the trunnion disc 28 and one ball shell half are used for the demonstration.

Referring to FIG. ll it will be noted that the looped string 24 and two ball shell halves are used for the demonstration purposes.

While I have described several forms of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be restricted to the features illustrated but that I intend to cover all modiiications thereof which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An amusement device comprising an elongated trunnion having spaced apart discs defining therebetween a centrally disposed hub and radially compressible trunnion journal members extending outwardly in opposite directions from the discs, a string operably connected to the trunnion whereby a spinning force may be imparted thereto, a pair 0f hollow spherical ball shell halves having centrally disposed hub sections telescopingly mounted on the journal members, the rim portion of each of the hollow spherical shell members being contoured to provide a half rounded hole therein adapted periodically to align as the hollow spherical shell members rotate on their trunnion journal members relative to each other, a satellite ball positioned within the hol low shell halves, the satellite ball being so proportioned that it cannot escape between the shell halves when the half rounded holes are misaligned but can escape when aligned and flexible connecting means between the satellite ball and the hub.

2. The invention defined in claim l wherein barriers are positioned on the inside surface of the hollow shell halves to retard the egress of the satellite ball from the shell halves. Y

3. A spin type amusement device comprising a pair of hollow shell halves each having a centrally disposed hollow hub section, and a rim contoured to provide an aperture therein, an elongated spinning trunnion assembly having spaced apart abutments defining therebetween a central hub and shell half supporting projections eX- tending outwardly in opposite directions from the abutments to receive the hub sections of the shell halves, a satellite ball positioned within the hollow shell halves, the satellite ball being so proportioned that it cannot escape through the space between the shell halves when the apertures formed in the rim of the shell halves are misaligned but can escape therefrom when said apertures are aligned, exible connecting means between the satellite ball and the central trunnion hub, and string means operably connected to the trunnion assembly whereby a spinning force may be imparted thereto.

4. The invention defined in claim 3, wherein the position of each of the hollow shell halves may selectively be reversed on the projections of the trunnion assembly.

5. An amusement device comprising a trunnion having a centrally disposedhub and trunnion journal vmembers low ball shell halves havingc'entrally disposedhub sec- Y tions adapted for telescoping assembly with the journal members, the rim portion of each of the hollow spherical shell members being contoured to provide an aperture therein adapted periodically to align as the hollow shell members rotate relative to each other on their trunnion journal members, a satellite ball positioned within the hollow shell halves, the satellite ball being so proportioned that it cannot escape through the apertures formed in the rim portions of the shell halves when the apertures formed therein are misaligned but can escape therefrom when said apertures are aligned, and exible connecting means between the satellite ball and the hub.

References Cited in the file of this patent Re. 19,499 1,145,086 1,854,876 2,247,3 l5 2,3 3 3,687 2,629,202

UNITED STATES PATENTS Savage Mar. 12, 1935 Secor July 6, 1915 Anzalone Apr. 19, 1932 Singer June 24, 1941 Shelton Nov. 9, 1943 Stivers et al Feb. 24, 1953 

